Princeton, NJ Sports Injury Prevention with Matt Shade, M.Ed, ATC

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Injury: It’s More Than Just Physical

January 30, 2012

You are at the top of your game. You are having the best season of you athletic career. Your team is in the hunt of a championship run. All of the hard work you put in day in and day out on the practice field, in the gym, in the weight room, season after season has finally paid off. And then it happens… you collide with another opponent or stretch too far to make a play. Sharp, stabbing pain radiates through your body as you fall to the ground. In an instant, all of you good feelings of health, accomplishment, opportunity and livelihood vanish.

Unfortunately, injury is a part of the game. An estimated 17 million sports injuries occur each year in the United States (Murphy, 2005). As a health care provider, helping athletes recover from injury and return to play is more complex than just addressing the physical components.

Injured athletes often go through a series of common emotional responses.

Denial

“No…I am fine!I can go back in.”

Anger

You punch the ground or throw a piece of equipment.

Bargaining

“Just let me finish the game! I’ll go to the doctor after the game!”

Depression

You isolate yourself from the athletic trainer, your teammates, and/or your coach.

Acceptance

You begin a rational discussion about your treatment options and take the first steps down the road to recovery.

For some athletes, this series occurs in a matter of minutes. For others, it takes days or even weeks. Regardless of when, why, or how this emotional response occurs, it is important to recognize the stage you are in and begin to cope appropriately.

Tips for Coping:

There are multiple strategies for coping with your injury. There is no right or wrong way to cope. As you go through your injury process, you will develop your own strategies. Listed below, are a few tips to help get you started.

Seek Social Support/Team Approach

Speak with teammates, friends and family members who have had similar injuries and learn about their recovery experience.

Stay involved with your team – just because you are sidelined, doesn’t mean you can’t contribute to the guidance and support to your teammates.

Seek an appropriate orthopedic health care team. This should include physicians, physical therapists, chiropractors, and athletic trainers. Performance Spine and Sports Medicine offers this team within the same facility to save you time and frustration!

Set attainable goals

Write down goals for yourself. Goal setting will enable you tract your improvement and creates an individual competition. These goals may include:

Timeline for recovery. Determine your current baseline and establish a ladder of small-step goals that will lead up to full recovery
How you will use time off from competition as an opportunity to address aspects of life that have been neglected.

Be sure to inform your social support team of your goals so they can help you reach them!

Imagery and Relaxation

Mentally rehearsing rehabilitation exercises, performance on the field, etc. will help you keep your mind in the game
Use healing imagery to aid in your recovery
Relaxing helps manage pain and stress. When stressed, your endocrine system changes which can make you more susceptible to illness and/or slowing down the healing process.

I hope this helps you mentally manage your injury. Remember, PSSM is always here to help you through your injury and to get you back into the game!

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